Thursday, June 04, 2009

Trick Question:

Worst interview question ever:

"Why should we hire you?"

What do they expect? You HAVE to give a cookie cutter answer. "I think that my skills would be a valuable asset to $company, and in return, I think I will be able to learn a great deal working for $company."

Why can't we answer truthfully? Because it won't help. And the interviewer knows this. I don't know why they ask the question. Maybe so they can see how often this person has interviewed. Or if they are able to think of a witty but effective reply. Or how skilled they are at the art of buzzwords. "I could help your company dynamically grow through synergetic solutions, leveraging your assets. I have been a key information touchpoint and... I'm sorry, are you awake?"

So I was thinking of some answers that quite possibly run through a interviewee's head before he/she actually answers:

"I need money."
"My resume is short and I need more experience to get my dream job."
"I hate my old job. I need a change."
"Because no one else will."
"Uhm. Duh. I'm, like, totally the best."
"42."
"Umm... Hmm... That's a good question. I dunno. Maybe you shouldn't."

5 comments:

Trist said...

It's the "worst" one in terms of if you want to get hired or not, but that last one is my favorite. XD Sounds like something I would say, if I didn't know better.

_Darth_Indy_ said...

If the interviewer had a good sense of humor, and I wasn't insanely nervous, I would actually use that one. Unique, make them remember you. IF you were able to answer all the other questions well.

Sir. Rant-a-lot said...

Was this the job interview you were talking about on IM?

Trist said...

IT IS THE ATTACK OF COMMENTING MONTHS LATER!!!

Totally Appropriate Answer: "Because I hum showtunes while I work. Because I bring cookies to my cube and share them with my coworkers. Because I am a not-so-secret-Nina Of All. Because YOU WANT MEEE."

And then smile and add, "Also, leveraging assets? TOTALLY my specialty."

Trist said...

Or even, you know, *NINJA.

*forever shamefulness*